How to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments — Georgia Peachez’ secrets

Last year I proclaimed my love and admiration for Georgia Peachez’ crafty Christmas wreaths made out of vintage tinsel-garland and ornaments. What a fantastic way to use ornaments hunted and scrounged at estate sales all year long — something to hunt for an actually use! Suzy, the genius Peach, is at it again this year — that’s her “That 70s Wreath,” above. Morevoer — we asked for her how-to instructions — and she graciously responded right away! Read on to learn how to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments of your very own. –>.

Ooooh! “Kitschy little things.” I have plenty of those. Do spatulas get you in the holiday mood? I ask: Are the ornies attached to anything? or do you just glue them straight on … that is, no hooks? She responds:

Just glue them right on. The tinsel gives a good surface to bond to.

One of the things that I think is particularly clever about Suzy’s method, is that by starting with the wrapped tinsel — the back side of the wreath is actually very pretty, too. Here is a photo from a wreath available in her etsy shop that shows what I mean:

If you don’t have time to get crafty, I think that Suzy’s wreaths are very well-priced at $50-$75. And, she says that she has never had an issue with shipping. Here are all the vital links:

Yes they break. Lay wreath flat on table. Then glue ornaments around outside edge making sure they are elevated off table. When you hang it no ornaments should touch the wall or door. They shouldn’t quite touch each other either. When one does break use pliers and carefully pull off the remnants. Glue a new ball in its place. I have several wreaths. Usually break a ball hanging it or putting into storage. Make sure you don’t store uncovered as dust will settle o them and it’s a pest to get off. Try clean makeup brushes to dust them.

I have made many. I glue them flat, not lifted off the table. I also glue them to each other, touching. I have not had breakage issues. However, stored in the attic, where there is a major hot-cold cycle, I think the glue has the potential to get rigid and de-glue from the ornaments. In that case, reglue, and store where temperature extremes are less severe. Oh also: Before lifting out of wreath case every season, check for loosies. They are most likely to fall off then, if the glue has rigidified (word?) over the previous year in storage.